Legal Advisories

The Legal Advisories page contains the DAEOgrams on substantive ethics issues published by OGE from 1992 to 2010, the Advisory Opinions published by OGE from 1979 to 2010, and the Legal Advisories, which OGE began publishing in 2011.

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Guidance on variety of ethics issues that commonly arise in procurement context, such as seeking employment, post-employment, financial conflicts of interest, outside employment, gifts and misuse of office.

Guidance on variety of ethics issues that commonly arise in procurement context, such as seeking employment, post-employment, financial conflicts of interest, outside employment, gifts and misuse of office.

The OGE determined that the reports would not likely run afoul of 18 U.S.C. § 207(b), but that the former federal employee should be careful not to disclose unreleased information he obtained while working for the government.

OGE discusses what rules an agency attorney might violate in publishing a booklet. Questions arise as to whether the provided information discloses non-public information and the possible effect on official duties. (Cites former 5 C.F.R. Part 735)

A Federal employee is free to participate in nonprofit organization programs as an uncompensated speaker, instructor or panelist in his personal capacity, whether or not the organization is charging a fee for attendance. Employees may not use or permit the use of their official title, position, or authority to further interests.

OGE advised that agency versions of 5 C.F.R. §§ 735.203 and 735.206 applied to two agents contracting with a magazine, giving the magazine exclusive production rights to the story of their investigation into racketeering. OGE stated that the agency could consider adverse action if the agents violated the standards of conduct.

18 U.S.C. §§ 203 and 205 does not prohibit a government employee from working for a consulting firm on a contract with another agency if the employee did not represent the firm before the agency and payment for his services was not contingent on the firm’s contract.